He officially opened Western Mail and Echo Ltd's multi-million pound press hall as he pushed a button to activate one of Europe's most modern facilities, which has been crucial to this year's re-launch of your Western Mail.

The press, representing an &#xA3;18m investment by Trinity Mirror, the owners of Western Mail and Echo, is unique in Wales because it allows colour to be printed on every page of the newspapers published by the company. It began printing its first papers earlier this year.

In a speech before he unveiled a plaque commemorating the event, the Prince emphasised the vital contribution newspapers have made to life in Wales. He praised Western Mail and Echo for the contribution it had made to Welsh business life. And he complimented The Western Mail for its agricultural coverage.

Later the Prince, starting a four-day stay in Wales, visited the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans and a charity working with disadvantaged children at Treherbert in Rhondda.